Harper Woods

District looks to continue summer nutrition program

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

HARPER WOODS — With the district making plans to grow its summer learning opportunities, the busy summer nutrition program might attract even more hungry children this summer.

The school board discussed the program and plans for this summer during its Feb. 5 work session. The discussion included an overview of last summer’s program in which they served more than 10,000 lunches and almost 4,000 breakfasts.

The district has benefited from a federal program that reimburses them for the cost of meals served. The meals are free to those younger than 18, but adults pay a small fee per meal.

“From our perspective, we see us doing good things for kids, good things for adults and good things for the district,” Superintendent Todd Biederwolf said.

“Seeing this program last summer, it just felt like you were doing the right thing, you were doing a good thing,” he said.

This year’s summer program will start June 24 with breakfast running from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the summer months, which are the same hours as last year.

“Any child that comes in, we feed them,” Food Service Director Brian Corbett said of the successful service.

While the food service program is open to anyone, it might be particularly useful to elementary through high school students who are at the secondary campus for one of the summer enrichment and academic programs.

“We had a lot of kids who were coming in and grabbing a bite to eat before starting and then grabbing a bite to eat after,” Biederwolf said.

The district is planning to expand its summer opportunities at the high school this summer, as well. Principal Thomas Parker is looking at adding an Academic Boot Camp program as one of the summer opportunities, according to the discussion at the meeting.

That might mean even more young people taking advantage of the food program.

Last year, the site was also a cooling center, and when it served as a cooling center, adults were given free meals, as well.

This summer, they are looking at continuing the site at both the high school and the library, so meals will be available at two locations in the city.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1043.